Commissioners to hear funding appeal from sheriff

The Lee County Sheriff’s Office is set to request $342,204 from the Lee County Board of Commissioners and the Lee County Board of Education Monday night to fund the School Resource Officer Program.

The sheriff’s office is requesting $86,404 from the county and $261,800 from the school board. However, according to Lee County Manager John Crumpton, the school board is unlikely to part with the funds.

“The sheriff and the board of education have been exchanging memorandums of understanding,” Crumpton said. “And the money was not included in the draft the board of education sent back to them. I think it’s a fair statement to say they do not want to make the payment.”

The commissioners, Crumpton said, are more than likely “stuck” providing the revenue from the fund balance.

The school board received $261,800 from the state for the purpose of securing schools, but these funds can be used for other budget items, according Crumpton.

Lee County Board of Education Chairman Lynn Smith said he was not aware of any financial request, but did confirm the draft MOU between the schools and the sheriff did not include any funds from the school system.

The item was tabled during the commissioners’ August meeting. The Lee County Sheriff’s Office is also asking the county to restore funding for its part-time deputies and approval to purchase eight vehicles.

Other agenda items include:

* A presentation from Dan Parks and Ted Abernathy, the two individuals charged with drafting strategic plan for the county.

* A resolution to recognize Sept. 21 through Oct. 5 as Fall Litter Sweep and encourage residents to participate in a roadside cleanup.